I Think I Found The Best Tacos In Tampa
Some restaurant owners might not be able to run their businesses after being hurt badly in a deadly gas explosion and then spending months in the hospital. But not Rene Valenzuela, the chef. Did I find Tampa’s best tacos? I realize this can be fighting words for some…but hear me out!
He needs to run food trucks and restaurants to make a living, so he wasn’t going to stop because of one failure.
In fact, his accident gave him the idea for a new, highly-rated restaurant in Tampa, which he opened after he got better. In July 2023, Valenzuela told Creative Loafing, in part:
“I had this epiphany of wanting to open a Mexican steakhouse, where I could bring the absolute best that Mexico has to offer to our customers. I’m still in the long process of introducing more interesting ingredients and cooking techniques to our audience. I want my food to honor the evolution of Mexican cuisine.”
Valenzuela started the very popular Taco Bus, which became known all over the country. He sold his share of the brand in 2015 so that he could use some of the money to open his own restaurant.
His dream did come true in the end, but he had to take a few different paths to get there. Valenzuela started fixing up a food truck called Rene’s Mexican Kitchen, which opened in 2019.
The food truck became so famous that it stayed in Seminole Heights for good, and Valenzuela started getting orders to bring food to other places.
Then, in 2023, they got lucky when a building in the middle of Ybor City became available. This gives Valenzuela more room to serve his customers and finish bigger catering orders.
At Valenzuela’s Mexican Kitchen, what should you order?
Valenzuela’s Mexican Kitchen offers a menu that is similar to Rene’s Mexican Kitchen, with the exception that Rene’s Mexican Kitchen has several fried foods that cannot be prepared in the food truck because it lacks a frier.
Given Valenzuela’s history with the Taco Bus, it should come as no surprise that the tacos are fairly well-liked, with the Black Angus skirt steak taco standing out in particular. This is my favorite by far! If you are into steak, this is a must try, in my opinion!
Also equally amazing is the chorizo and cheese, picadillo-stuffed peppers, and spicy shrimp if you’re avoiding red meat. Additionally, there are vegetarian choices such butternut squash and mushrooms. Ok, now I’m just making myself hungry.
Any downsides? And is it affordable?
The kitchen is just for takeout. There is only a location to pick up your order; there is no indoor or outdoor dining. You may additionally take advantage of different delivery services. One may argue that Valenzuela’s is quite reasonably priced, especially if you want to buy tacos, when one considers the cost of even fast food. Many tacos are only slightly more expensive than $5.
All in all… delish!! I personally think I have found Tampa’s best tacos! So far? Will you be trying them?
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